Two influencers drowned when a speedboat sank in an area known as the Devil’s Throat, off the coast of São Paulo, Brazil, on 29 Sept.
They had reportedly refused to wear life jackets.
Aline Tamara Moreira de Amorim, 37, and Beatriz Tavares da Silva Faria, 27, were among a group on an overcrowded boat returning to shore from a yacht party.
Source: @liih_abencoada on Instagram
According to the captain’s testimony, some passengers declined to wear life jackets “because they were taking selfies”, as stated by São Vicente Police Commissioner Marcos Alexandre Alfino.
Source: @soumaissaovicenteeregiao on Instagram
The influencers also reportedly mentioned that the life vests would “get in the way of their tanning”.
The captain informed the police that he was instructed to transport six influencers, despite the boat’s maximum capacity being five passengers.
This overload compromised the vessel’s ability to withstand a massive wave, which ultimately threw the passengers into the water.
The captain made desperate attempts to save everyone, but unfortunately, he was unable to do so.
Ms Faria’s body was recovered at sea after the boat sank, while Ms Amorim’s body was discovered a week later, washed up on the shore of Itaquitanduva Beach.
According to the police commissioner, an investigation is underway to determine whether the influencers’ deaths were the result of recklessness or negligence.
One of the survivors, Vanessa Audrey da Silva, said that the group of friends had gathered for a day of drinking on the yacht.
They divided into two groups and boarded separate vessels to return to shore.
Ms da Silva recalled scrambling to put on her life vest when the boat was struck by a massive wave.
She then clung to a rock after it sank.
“There was a moment in the water when no one could see anyone,” she stated. “I was fighting for my life.”
Also read: British man falls to his death while climbing Spain’s tallest bridge for Instagram stunt
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Featured image adapted from @liih_abencoada on Instagram and Newsflash via The Sun.
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